VAUXHALL'S Crossland X built until 2020 is a high riding small crossover competing with the Renault Captur and Nissan Juke.

And like the vast majority of other 4x4 lookalikes, it's only available with front wheel drive - so despite that raised suspension it is not capable of much off-road.

It's the smallest Vauxhall SUV at the time, in a stable of three that also includes the Mokka and the Grandland X, and all three look very similar.

The Mokka is slightly bigger and the Grandland is a good deal larger again.

But the Crossland makes a very good family holdall for four or occasionally five, with some models having adjustable rear legroom at the expense of some boot space.

It's taller than a standard hatch of course, giving a great view all around on the move, and making it easier for many people to get in and out.

But it must be said that it also leans a good deal in the corners, which, combined with that high driving position, can be rather disconcerting until you get used to it.

Despite the roll, which does not instill confidence, it handles safely and well through a series of corners, with informative steering and plenty of grip.

The ride is good much of the time, but it does feel many of the imperfections in the road surface - something we are plagued with wherever we drive these days.

Start/stop is standard to save fuel and reduce emissions, but I had to turn it off on one trip in traffic, because it let me down by failing to start again quickly enough.

There are three engine sizes to choose from but with seven different power outputs, and the more powerful units are only available at upper trim levels.

Base petrol unit is the well-known 1.2-litre three cylinder with 82bhp, but this is hardly enough to haul it around, giving slow acceleration but good economy of 55mpg.

Then there are two turbocharged versions of the same engine with 110 and 130bhp respectively, each of which is similarly economical - as long as you keep your foot off the loud pedal!

The 110 reaches 60 in a decent 10.3 seconds, while the 130 brings that down to a quick 8.8.

On the diesel front, there have been 1.6 and later 1.5 power units. The lower powered 1.6 has 100bhp and is rated at an excellent 78mpg. It takes 11.6 seconds to get to 60, while the 120bhp version takes 9.6 seconds and can do 59mpg.

The later 1.5 choices are 102bhp, or 120 with a standard automatic gearbox. The 102 sprint takes 11.3 while the 120 brings that down to 9.6, and economy is 70 or 59 mpg respectively.

The most popular engine you're likely to find secondhand is the best selling 1.2 with 110bhp, but my favourite is the 130bhp version which really does offer much more in every way.

The three cylinder is smooth and quiet at almost all speeds, and full of verve in answer to a prod of the right foot.

It picks up beautifully from low revs in the bottom five gears, but is sixth gear, tends to rumble a little if asked for power too low down.

Latterly there were just five well-equipped trim levels - Griffin, Business Edition Nav, Elite, SRI Nav and Elite Nav.

Even the lowest Griffin comes with a seven-inch colour touchscreen, Bluetooth, DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, air conditioning and cruise control.

Business Edition Nav adds a wider eight-inch touch screen, voice control, sat nav, and two USB ports, while Elite includes special alloys, ambient interior lighting, parking sensors, alarm and a multi-level boot floor.

Pay about £11,100 for a 110bhp, '18 18-reg 1.2 SE Ecotec, or £14,400 for a 102bhp '20 20-reg 1.5 Turbo D SRi Nav.